To those who know me, it's great to meet you again. If our paths haven't crossed before, well it's lovely to make your acquaintance. My name is Kimberley Lieb, I've been an Ambassador for a while and I've been on Wattpad for around 3 years. I'm mum to a teenager and a PA in my day job. I live just outside London in a leafy suburb in the UK. I love all things Wattpad and sharing my writing journey with fellow writers and readers.

I am working on four writing projects at the moment. The one closest to my heart is editing my main book a mystery thriller, Someone Hiding in the Shadows and am currently drafting out book two. The most wonderful experience I have had here on Wattpad is meeting and making real friendships with fellow writers, who have taught me so much and are incredibly patience as I continue to strive to become a better writer.

Comments mean so much more than many readers could ever realise. Receiving feedback from people telling you that they like your work, really brightens my day. Every single time. For some of us, the only readers we initially have are those we find online and without that encouragement, many would fail to continue or complete their stories.

I have outlined a series of four of five books and these stories rolled around in my head for years and once I started writing, I haven't been able to stop and I couldn't be happier. I would also like to thank the lovely Amber also known on Wattpad @The3dreamers for helping me polish my book cover. In relation to the feedback I have received for this book, please see my article below. My homage to readers old and new. Grab a brew and take five.

The Art of Listening – Homage to Readers

When I first started writing my novel I had no idea what I was doing at all. I had a rough idea, some notes and for some reason an aim for around 350 pages, after looking at some of the printed books in my library, I considered that tended to be the average size of book. I had never written more than 30 pages of a complete story. Yet I felt this need to write a novel that had kicked around in my head for years. Initially they were separate stories in my head and then I realised I could wind them around my main character and make it a series of her adventures. I told myself that I had written short stories for competitions, they were around the size of a chapter, so therefore a book was lots of short stories stuck together.

I took a while to get started. I wrote a chapter and edited and edited...it was painfully slow. Life got in the way and I downed tools.

A year to 18 months passed and my partner and best friend encouraged me to write. They loved the concept of my stories when I discussed the plot with them.

It spurred me on, especially after reading about Jeffrey Archer's writing routine, I realised I needed to write by way of a routine, so started posting and writing on a regular basis. That really was the turning point for me.

For a totally inexperienced writer Wattpad delivered two things, encouragement initially from readers who were excited to know more and later beta readers, who have since become friends, continue to give me helpful insightful critique, to shape my story and see my faults with clear eyes.

Their guidance has taught me many skills; one being that they see things the writer does not, blinkered by their involvement. That slight detachment allows the beta reader to question or steers me to write a better book. I have been fortunate to have several people who have looked at and continue to help me. It's a reciprocal arrangement and you build up trust being honest but diplomatic.

I listen to what they say and consider their pointers. It is rare for them to be wrong and I wanted to say to each of them, thank you for being there and being my writing friend. I also wanted to share this with everyone, so that they realise how important sharing your thoughts on our stories can be. It means so much more, than many people realise.

Sometimes just the fact that someone has read your chapter, gives a skip in your step, especially when you have worked so hard but never doubt that I do listen to what everyone says and thank you everyone, for taking the time. It means a lot.

My book has changed from listening to readers who initially reviewed on the #NextBigRecognition and featured writer @linahanson and writing friend @anupamarc urging me to change the last few chapters to make the main character experience the things discovered rather than just hearing what had been found via a phone call. It has made my book more dramatic and I know that on book two I will be doing much more structure and planning before I write it. I would also like to thank @DawnStarling, @h_coyle and @henry_scott for their Beta Reading advice and enduring friendships.

Plus I am also co-writing a horror novel with the talented featured writer Heather Coyle @h_coyle a book called #The Awakening on our joint profile @CoyleLieb. If you haven't checked out this story yet, Heather and I would love to hear your thoughts. It's much darker than my usual writing and a slightly different tone from Heather's usual brand @DavidJThirteen has recently commented "that's it's a challenge to write collaboratively but you to are doing a good job if it". Thanks David, fingers crossed we keep getting it right as we wander into new terriority. We left him dangling on a cliffhanger but we are posting fortnightly at the moment, and hope to rescue him soon.

https://www.wattpad.com/story/92946311-the-awakening

My novelette #Four Ladybirds a Tom Tom and Not a Very Fast Car has not done so well in its reads. Can anyone think of a better title? Is it too long? I am wondering if maybe "Four Ladybirds Lost in Essex" might be a better title but I am open to suggestions. I wrote it at the same time as my first thriller novel. So as a complete contrast of genres and it is a humorous and light hearted read. I am currently editing this. So if any of you have a free lunchtime at some point, to have a look and tell me what I need to do make it better, I am all ears. I always respond to good feedback and critique by mentioning who has assisted by a dedication. Here's the link: https://www.wattpad.com/story/45554382-four-ladybirds-a-tom-tom-and-not-a-very-fast-car

Some of you may recognise me from popular London WattCon questions I ran in December 2016.

https://www.wattpad.com/story/81889790-londonwattcon16-interviews

I interview writers big and small on Wattpad the famous "cake and chat interviews". I do have a bit of a back log but if you would like check out who has been in the big orange chair, I'd love to know what you think. If you would like me to add you to the interview list, do stop by for a chat but please bear me and I'll do my best J

https://www.wattpad.com/266541101-why-i-write-wattpad-interviews-kimberley-s-b-lieb

If I may, let me leave you with my question (as many of you know I like to get Wattpad writers and readers minds ticking).

I'd love to hear from you and wonder what do you find is the most satisfying thing about writing? Is it that feel good factor that buzz you get when you are writing? Or losing yourself in the world of your characters and their journeys? Or a mixture of everything? As everybody seems to have a different sweet point. Please drop me a line and let me know.

Before you Go......

This is my third Wattpad Block Party and if you wish to find out more about my writing journey or some help requests kindly please see more information below:-

The Story Behind My Book Someone Hiding in the Shadows

Clink on the link here:

https://www.wattpad.com/262624998-someone-hiding-in-the-shadows-the-story-behind-the

My Writing Goals

I have half third edited Someone Hiding in the Shadows, taking on board my Beta Readers' comments and I hope my book will be considered as a featured story in due course. Should I wait until I have finished editing before I tag it to be #featured, so it can be found? Please let me know your thoughts on this. Do you think it is good enough? Fingers crossed it is. Currently, I am in the process of polishing the book. I want to be proud of the finished result, so watch this space. I want to thank each and every one of you, who reads, comments and critiques my book, as this helps me so much. It means a lot to me, that I have written a novel that people want to read and keen to read the next instalment. I am sure all of you, readers and writers understand these sentiments. I don't want to look at formally publishing until all the series of this book are at least drafted out, as many writers have advised this is the best course. Do you agree with this?

Trailer Request

If anyone is able to make a book trailer for my book - please let me know. A dedication would be applied with the blurb and a shout out.

Synopsis Request

I already have a blurb that I am happy with but if anyone has read my book or will be reading my story and would like to write one for me, I would give full credit for their work on Wattpad J and a shout out. Please check out the ideas that have already been posted on Someone Hiding in the Shadows.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post and if you want to know more, or just fancy a chat, a slice of cake, take a seat,

it would be great to hear from you,

always. Kimbers xkx

By Kimberley S B Lieb also known as @wrightstory chink chink

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